France had a population of between 22 and 25 million at this time, and
maintained the largest standing army in Europe. In peacetime it might
have amounted to about 200,000 men; in times of war, it could be
anything up to half a million. A substantial part of Louis XV's army
consisted of numerous regiments of guard cavalry, heavy cavalry and
dragoon regiments, which were considered the best and noblest part.
These many units form the subject matter in this first of five
fascinating volumes [Men-at-Arms 296, 302, 304, 308 & 313] by René
Chartrand covering the army of Louis XV's.